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The greatest moments in the history of NFL conference championship games
JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images

The greatest moments in the history of NFL conference championship games

With a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, the NFL conference championship games have featured some of the most memorable moments in football history. From unexpected players rising to the occasion to become heroes to the stars shining brightest in the biggest of moments, some just leave an indelible mark.

Here's a look at some of the most memorable moments in the history of the AFC and NFC championship games.

 
1 of 21

2018 season: Patriots beat Chiefs in overtime

2018 season: Patriots beat Chiefs in overtime
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

A late field goal by the Chiefs in the fourth quarter sent the classic 2018 AFC championship to overtime, but Kansas City wouldn't get the ball again after losing the coin toss. Tom Brady and Co. drove down the field and won, 37-31, on a 2-yard run by Rex Burkhead. The win sent New England to its ninth Super Bowl appearance in the Bill Belichick/Tom Brady era.

 
2 of 21

2015 season: Broncos halt Patriots' two-point conversion

2015 season: Broncos halt Patriots' two-point conversion
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

Denver's defense wreaked havoc on Tom Brady and the New England offense all afternoon, but the Patriots had a chance to tie the game with 12 seconds remaining after Rob Gronkowski scored a touchdown to pull within two points, 20-18. Brady threw across his body into the end zone during the two-point attempt, but the ball was tipped and picked off by Bradley Roby to effectively win the game for Denver.

 
3 of 21

2014 season: Russell Wilson sends the Seahawks to the Super Bowl

2014 season: Russell Wilson sends the Seahawks to the Super Bowl
Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

Wilson had a subpar NFC championship game, even by his own admission, throwing four interceptions. But he made up for it late in the game. Tied 22-22 in overtime after a furious fourth quarter comeback, Wilson threw a 35-yard touchdown to Jermaine Kearse to win, 28-22 over Green Bay.

 
4 of 21

2013 season: Richard Sherman seals victory for Seahawks

2013 season: Richard Sherman seals victory for Seahawks
Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images

Richard Sherman became a household name for his play against the 49ers in the 2013 NFC championship game and his interview afterward. Leading 23-17 near the end of the fourth quarter, Sherman tipped a Colin Kaepernick pass intended for Michael Crabtree to teammate Malcolm Smith. Then he trashed Crabtree in FOX's postgame interview.

 
5 of 21

2011 season: Kyle Williams blows the game for the 49ers

2011 season: Kyle Williams blows the game for the 49ers
Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

Williams didn't have a good day as San Francisco's punt returner in the NFC championship game. He fumbled once during regulation and again in overtime to set up a game-winning field goal for the Giants. 

 
6 of 21

2011 season: Ravens blow their opportunities vs. New England

2011 season: Ravens blow their opportunities vs. New England
Jim Rogash / Getty Images

Trailing 23-20 with less than one minute remaining, Ravens wideout Lee Evans seemingly caught a touchdown pass. After review, the play was ruled incomplete, and Billy Cundiff missed a 32-yard field goal to clinch another Super Bowl berth for the Patriots.

 
7 of 21

2009 season: Brett Favre blows it for the Vikings

2009 season: Brett Favre blows it for the Vikings
Tribune News Service / Getty Images

Favre had a chance to lead the Vikings to the Super Bowl. Tied 28-28 in overtime, the Vikings had the ball close to field goal range on the Saints' 38-yard line. The gunslinging Favre took a risk and threw across his body, and the pass was picked off by Tracy Porter. New Orleans kicked a field goal on the ensuing drive to go to the Super Bowl.

 
8 of 21

2007 season: Lawrence Tynes redeems himself

2007 season: Lawrence Tynes redeems himself
Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images

The Giants and Packers went to overtime after New York's Lawrence Tynes missed two mid-range field goals. Favre made a huge mistake in overtime, getting picked off by the Giants on the Packers end of the field. Tynes got a chance to redeem himself and made it count, kicking a 47-yard field goal to win 23-20.

 
9 of 21

2006 season: Peyton beats the Patriots

2006 season: Peyton beats the Patriots
Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

Down 21-3 in the AFC championship game, Peyton Manning was able to rally the Colts. The teams traded scores in the fourth quarter, but a Joseph Addai 3-yard run with 1:00 left on the clock won the game for Indy.

 
10 of 21

1999 season: Kurt Warner to Ricky Proehl

1999 season: Kurt Warner to Ricky Proehl
Don Emmert / AFP / Getty Images

The Rams' "Greatest Show on Turf" offense was historic in 1999, but St. Louis had its fair share of issues getting past the Buccaneers defense in the NFC championship game. The Rams finally broke through with a Warner to Proehl 30-yard touchdown pass with less than five minutes remaining to go ahead, 11-6. The Bucs were able to drive down the field, but the game was effectively ended on a replay that was ruled no catch despite wide receiver Bert Emanuel having both his hands under the ball when it touched the turf. The NFL changed the catch rule the following offseason due to that play.

 
11 of 21

1998 season: Gary Anderson misses his first field goal of the year

1998 season: Gary Anderson misses his first field goal of the year
Jeff Haynes / AFP / Getty Images

The pessimism of Vikings fans stems from events like what happened in this NFC championship game. The loaded Minnesota offense had a chance to go up by two scores against Atlanta, but Anderson missed his first field goal of the year, a 38-yarder. The Falcons scored a touchdown to tie the game and then won in overtime.

 
12 of 21

1995 season: Colts fall short on Hail Mary

1995 season: Colts fall short on Hail Mary
Focus on Sport / Getty Images

After beating the heavily favored Chiefs the previous week, Indianapolis gave the Steelers quite a challenge in the AFC championship game. Down 20-16, the game came down to a Hail Mary attempt by Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh. Aaron Bailey nearly caught the ball on the final play in the end zone, but it fell to the ground and sent Pittsburgh to the Super Bowl.

 
13 of 21

1990 season: Joe Montana injured in 49ers loss

1990 season: Joe Montana injured in 49ers loss
Dan Honda / Getty Images

Montana started what would be his final game with the 49ers in the NFC championship game, getting injured in the fourth quarter on a hit by Giants lineman Leonard Marshall. New York trailed 13-9 at the time but was able to come back on two field goals and win, 15-13.

 
14 of 21

1987 season: Earnest Byner commits "The Fumble"

1987 season: Earnest Byner commits "The Fumble"
Bettmann / Getty Images

Cleveland had a chance to get revenge on the Broncos in the AFC championship game after losing in heartbreaking fashion the previous year, but this year's downfall was even worse. Running back Earnest Byner had a chance to tie the game with a run at the 8-yard line with just over one minute remaining. Instead he fumbled, and the Broncos recovered and won the game.

 
15 of 21

1986 season: John Elway manufactures "The Drive"

1986 season: John Elway manufactures "The Drive"
E. Bakke / Getty Images

Cleveland's long history of frustrating losses continued against the Broncos in the AFC championship game, as Elway drove the Broncos 98 yards to tie the game, 20-20, with 37 seconds remaining. Denver kicked a field goal in overtime to win.

 
16 of 21

1979 season: Refs blow Oilers' touchdown catch

1979 season: Refs blow Oilers' touchdown catch
George Gojkovich / Getty Images

Houston had a chance to tie the AFC championship game in the third quarter and looked like it did so with a brilliant pass to the back of the end zone from Dan Pastorini to Mike Renfro. However, the refs ruled incorrectly that Renfro was out of bounds, resulting in a field goal for Houston without the option of instant replay at the time. The Steelers would take control in the fourth quarter and win, 27-13.

 
17 of 21

1982 season: A.J. Duhe caps off huge day

1982 season: A.J. Duhe caps off huge day
Ronald C. Modra / Sports Imagery / Getty Images

The AFC championship game between Miami and the Jets was a huge mess, and linebacker A.J. Duhe was the star of the day. He had three interceptions, including one for a 35-yard touchdown, as the Dolphins won, 14-0.

 
18 of 21

1982 season: Darryl Grant clinches win with pick-six

1982 season: Darryl Grant clinches win with pick-six
Bettmann / Getty Images

The Redskins and Cowboys juiced up their rivalry even more by meeting in the NFC championship game following the 1982 season. The game remained close in the fourth quarter until Grant picked off the Cowboys and ran the ball back 10 yards for a touchdown to win, 31-17.

 
19 of 21

1981 season: Joe Montana completes "The Catch" to Dwight Clark

1981 season: Joe Montana completes "The Catch" to Dwight Clark
Bettmann / Getty Images

Perhaps throwing the most often replayed catch in NFL history, Montana continued to write his legend. Down 27-21 to the Cowboys with 58 seconds remaining, he threw a perfect pass to Clark, who made a fingertip grab in the back of the end zone.

 
20 of 21

1967 season: Packers win the Ice Bowl

1967 season: Packers win the Ice Bowl
Bettmann / Getty Images

Green Bay defeated Dallas in the coldest game in NFL history at minus-15 degrees during kickoff. Trailing 17-14 late in the game, quarterback Bart Starr ran into the end zone to win, 21-17.

 
21 of 21

1966 season: Packers go to first Super Bowl with late interception

1966 season: Packers go to first Super Bowl with late interception
Bettmann / Getty Images

Green Bay and Dallas had a heated battle for the right to go to the first Super Bowl. Trailing 34-27 with first-and-goal at the 2-yard line, Dallas looked like it would tie the game. However, Green Bay was able to put up a goal-line stand, culminating with a Tom Brown interception on fourth down to win.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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